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Light to the Hills

A Novel

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Light to the Hills

Written by: Bonnie Blaylock
Narrated by: Shannon McManus
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About this listen

A richly rewarding novel about family bonds, the power of words, and the resilience of mothers and daughters in 1930s Appalachia.

The folks in the Kentucky Appalachians are scraping by. Coal mining and hardscrabble know-how are a way of life for these isolated people. But when Amanda Rye, a young widowed mother and traveling packhorse librarian, comes through a mountain community hit hard by the nation’s economic collapse, she brings with her hope, courage, and apple pie. Along the way, Amanda takes a shine to the MacInteer family, especially to the gentle Rai; her quick-study daughter, Sass; and Finn, the eldest son who’s easy to warm to. They remind Amanda of her childhood and her parents with whom she longs to be reconciled.

Her connection with the MacInteers deepens, and Amanda shares with them a dangerous secret from her past. When that secret catches up with Amanda in the present, she, Rai, Sass, and Finn find their lives intersecting—and threatened—in the most unexpected ways. Now they must come together as the truth lights a path toward survival, mountain justice, forgiveness, and hope.

©2022 Bonnie Blaylock (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction

What the critics say

“This moving tale of family bonds and the resilience of mothers and daughters is filled with rich period details, regional dialect, and fascinating local customs and foods…Readers of Kim Michele Richardson, Ann H. Gabhart, and Kim Vogel Sawyer will also enjoy this engaging historical novel.”—Booklist

“A gorgeously written and well-layered novel that immediately transports us to the Appalachian Mountains of the 1930s. The ways, superstitions, folklore, and justice of the mountain people are woven deeply into the story. Rich in color, tradition, and character, this mountain saga will hold you spellbound.”—Historical Novels Review

“A bright and vibrant debut. Light to the Hills is a touching meditation on motherhood and the importance of community, especially during difficult times. Bonnie Blaylock will be one to watch in the realm of historical fiction.”—Olivia Hawker, bestselling author of One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow
All stars
Most Relevant
the author did a good job of telling the story of the librarians in the narrator spoke to different voices well.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story

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I really enjoyed this book. It has such an interesting story and is very well written.
The narration is next level!

Fantastic story!!

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Well told story, authentic, time accurate. Entertaining without being too graphic. The characters were very well built. I wish that this had been a series. I will watch for more from this author.

The thread through the entire story of real truth.

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We’ll written and narrated. The story was suspenseful and depicted life in the Appalachians in the early 1930s so we’ll. A beautiful story of love, hardship, betrayal and perseverance. I highly recommend it.

Brilliant! I loved every bit of it.

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